AMBITIOUS Town chairman Dean Hoyle picked up the most prestigious prize of the night when he was named Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year.

The entrepreneur and former engineering apprentice began selling greetings cards from the back of a van and built up his Card Factory business to a chain of almost 400 shops before selling it for £350m.

Mr Hoyle, 44, who lives in Mirfield, was honoured for his business acumen and his continuing contribution to the town as club chairman and a keen supporter of business initiatives across the region – both to encourage young people to consider starting up their own ventures and to improve networking between existing firms.

He said he was “stunned” to collect the award and said: “I was very honoured.

“I started very small but I had luck, determination and a desire and with all those three you can go a long way.

“I went as far as I could with Card Factory and now I’m focussed on the football club, which is a leading brand in Huddersfield.

“I never expected to be receiving an award tonight, on a night when we have heard so many inspiring stories.

“The stories we have heard show what can be achieved if people have drive.”